Four of us each aged sixty; 2 males and 2 females from England went camping for the very first time…read moreas adults in September 2010. We stayed in a basic tent at La Licorne campsite in Dunkerque for 5 nights. We were all very apprehensive as it had been so long since we had been in a tent; but the challenge made it a very different break from the norm. We arrived at the site after by car which is a 24 mile journey from Calais; although it is possible to arrive directly at Dunkerque via the ferry from Dover. We arrived at the site after many requests for directions; the fact that none of us spoke even basic French did not help. It was after 7 p.m.; the time when the barrier comes down at the entrance to the site. However the owners house is there and they quickly made us feel welcome and told us to select any pitch we desired and call back the next morning to discuss fees etc. Our first very big mistake was not erecting the tent back at home after we recently purchased it. The next four hours were proverbial murder; but by a little moonlight and a lot of headlights we got there in the end and earned our tent pitching badges. We enjoyed snacks and wine before surprising ourselves and enjoying a thoroughly good nights sleep. Next morning we discovered there was 2 large shower blocks with endless hot water, lots of toilets and wash basins. They were all very clean and we were certainly impressed; although you do have to take your own toilet paper, which luckily we had. We went to meet the owner who is instantly likeable and she explained about the rates and security gates. The cost to each camper was only 6 Euros per night. It is a simple 4 number code and single letter for the both the front and rear entrances. While the front gives you access to the open road the rear entrance is accessible by foot only. The rear entrance is a real delight as it leads along a pleasant path surrounded by bushes and plants directly to the seafront. There are no cars running along the front; but there is a bicycle path which is well used by families. The beach is very large at low tide and stretches as far as the eye can see, probably to Belgium. There are a few cafes along the front and quite a lot of flats overlooking the sea, though not high rise. Although it was September it was still very mild and we were all in short sleeves and shorts even though we were by the sea. Dunkerque itself seems a very friendly town with a very busy large market on Saturday. Selling all types of food and goods it spreads from street to street throughout the town. There are no drinking bars as such; in fact the only one we saw, and went in to, is on the campsite itself. There are lots of supermarkets however selling good quality cheap wine and lager which was ideal for us. They are within easy distance of the front entrance and you can buy almost everything. Belgium is within reasonable driving distance and we travelled the 27 mile to Ostend. Ostend is a very clean busy coastal resort with lots of shops and outdoor cafes and bars. The seafront is a very pleasant walk with stalls selling lots of instantly eatable sea food, at very reasonable prices. I would say the campsite played a huge part in the enjoyment of our trip to Dunkerque, which incidentally, is twinned with our home town of Middlesbrough North East England. It certainly allayed our fears about camping and we are certainly going back.

From the owner: Op deze gezellige familiecamping heb je alles bij de hand voor een onvergetelijke vakantie. Binnen…read moreenkele minuten loop je langs de branding van de Noordzee. Je kunt genieten van zon, zee en je eigen kampeerplaats. In "Zwinplaza" kun je terecht voor een kopje koffie of een heerlijke maaltijd. Ook verse broodjes en afhaalmaaltijden maken ze graag voor je klaar. De knusse sfeer en persoonlijke aandacht zorgen ervoor dat je helemaal tot rust komt en volop kunt genieten van een heerlijk verblijf. De plaatsen zijn ruim en van alle gemakken voorzien. De luxe chalets zijn geschikt voor max. 6 personen. Kom naar het uiterste puntje van Nederland en beleef zelf de Zeeuws-Vlaamse gastvrijheid. Honden zijn van harte welkom op camping de Zwinhoeve.

Great municipal campsite, not too far from the centre of town, grand big shopping centre nearby,…read moreEUR7.50 for 2 people, should be busy this weekend what with the tour turning up. Now under new management, grumpy man, price gone up to EUR12 for 2, not sure if we'll bother being back

Nice basic campsite, very friendly people running it, toilets are clean but bring your own toilet…read morepaper. Close to the centre of the village, mainly static pitches but with room for peripatetic cyclists, about 10-12, EUR10 for two people plus tent.